The rapid transformation processes appear to be very differential and the particular patterns are complex to interpret and understand. This volume elaborates on a number of issues that seem particular important for the people in Central and Eastern Europe: the development and working of democracy, the public support for, legitimacy and efficacy of democracy and the free market economy, and of course the stability of the newly established political culture. Since the dramatic events in 1989 and 1990, Central and Eastern Europeans have been engaged in a process of democratization and liberalization which are transforming their societies fundamentally.

There are huge variations between what are, in terms of population, nation-sized provinces. The disparity between the per capita incomes of different provinces is vast, the structure of their economies varies greatly вЂ” for example, in their openness to the outside world and the importance of industry вЂ” their cultures are distinct, and the nature of their governance is more diverse than one might expect. [611] In many respects, the provinces should be seen as akin to nation-states. [612] In fact China вЂ™s provinces are far more differentiated than EuropeвЂ™s nation-states, even when Eastern Europe and the Balkans are included. * Map 9. ChinaвЂ™s Provinces It would be impossible to run a country the size of China by centralized fiat from Beijing. In practice, the provinces enjoy great autonomy. Governance involves striking a balance between the centre and the provinces. Of course everyone recognizes that ultimate power rests with Beijing: but this often means little more than feigned compliance. [613] The provinces and cities accept Beijing вЂ™s word, while often choosing to ignore it, with central government fully aware of this. [614] Although China has a unitary structure of government, in reality its modus operandi is more that of a de facto federal system. [615] This is true in terms of important aspects of economic policy and is certainly the case with the maintenance of social order: the regime expects each province to be responsible for what happens within its borders and not to allow any disruption to cross those borders ...

Ready for Europe: Public Administration in Central and Eastern EuropeIt applies selected standards to determine each country' s readiness for accession and for the longer-term transition agenda. The author focuses on these three critical areas of administrative performance in the context of EU accession: How advanced is the development of a politically neutral, professional human resource cadre in the civil service? Do countries have the necessary institutional infrastructure at the government' s core (that is, cabinet level) to formulate and coordinate policymaking in an efficient and democratic manner?527 руб